A storyteller’s saga Local author shares new tales

Published 5:00 am Saturday, October 24, 2026

Once upon a time, on a Tuesday in September, to be precise, in the upper room of the Boone County Library, sat a writer. The writer gave a preview of her latest collection of tales and a preview into the mind behind the pen.
Anna Cackler is a Berryville native and author. According to her bio on her website, she describes herself as a “jack-of-all-trades artist,” though prefers not to tack on “master of none” to the end of that. By her estimation, she is “a master of at least three things … Maybe three and three-quarters.” When it comes to writing, the fantasy genre is her playground, though that only scratches the surface. Cackler describes her books as “dark fairy tales” with dashes of horror thrown in “just for the vibes.” Cackler described a liking for placing a focus on character. “Complicated women” are her favorites to use, but she also “delights” in using characters who are people of color, disabled, and LGBTQ+, imbuing them with “actual characterization.” Her first story was written at age six about a toy bunny who came to life. The story was never finished, but a cover was drawn and printed for it.
On that particular Tuesday in September, Cackler was showing off her “The Sibylline Saga” books. The books are a series of three novels and a collection of short stories. Cackler took about five years to write the three novels, taking breaks in between to write the short stories featured in the fourth book. Cackler read from one of these short stories, “Starsong,” which started with a young woman venturing into the woods at night, leaving the readers curious for more.
She also gave a brief overview of the books in “The Sibylline Saga.” The first book in the series, “The Forest Witch,” was written by Cackler when she was 15. The story concerns a child of prophecy who must defeat a once-thought defeated force. According to Cackler, the version from her 15-year-old self was “terrible.” She found the story about 10 years ago and decided to go back and rewrite it. The second book, “The Great Singer,” tells the story of a young map maker who must wake the giants and end a war. According to Cackler, this one started life as a short story, from there it grew and grew into its own novel. The third book, “The World Mother,” was inspired by a drawing and tells the story of a cave spirit who left her cave.
All of the art and maps are drawn by Cackler herself. All drawn by hand, with no help from generative AI. On her website, she tells her own beliefs on generative AI, saying “If I am going to make art, then I AM GOING TO MAKE ART. That’s all there is to it.”
A new book by Cackler is in the works, about an embroiderer with a guilty past who lives in a world where people can make things happen if they want it badly enough. However, it might be a while before that story hits shelves, as she has “barely started” it.
If one is looking to purchase one of Cackler’s books, they are “everywhere,” as she says. Books can be purchased on Amazon, as well as through her website, annacackler.com. Books purchased through the website can be signed by Cackler. One can also find her books at local bookstores, such as Books on Main, and at the Boone County Library.
For Cackler, more than characters or setting, the most important thing is the story. Cackler describes story as her “biggest and most-true passion.” What started as a passion for reading and movies and stories about stuffed bunnies has turned into a series of novels for the world to share. And more stories will always lead to more happily ever afters.